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'This is an enterprising 'first'. I long to hear more of them and if this CD has the success it deserves, let us hope it may be the beginning of a ser ...'Its tunes are charming and its orchestral colour delightful. It's a hugely entertaining discovery' (Classic FM Magazine)» More

This album is not yet available for downloadHYP202CDs Super-budget price sampler — Deleted

'More than just a highlight sampler. This is a classy collection, brought together with a great deal of care and attention to musical programming seldom found in this kind of CD … A stocking-filler any music lover would appreciate' (Scotland ...» More

Chorus: Dawns the day in Eastern sky,
Here we hasten pitter patter
Where the tiny teacups clatter;
Mounts the golden Sun God high,
Shaded from his fury heated
Still at tea you find us seated;
Passes day towards the West,
Comes the night and calls to rest
Then we leave with sigh and sorrow—
No more tea until tomorrow.

Geishas: Shall we sing you while they bring you
Tea or coffee, sirs,
Dainty lyric panegyric
Of the gentlemen?
We’ve a solo touching polo
For the officers
And a rondo rather fond,
O sentimental men.
Of a hymn in praise of women
Are you fanciers,
Or a sonnet to a bonnet
Supercilious?
We’ve a ditty of the city
For financiers
And a ballad of a salad
For the bilious!
Merry little geisha we!
Come along at once and see
Ample entertainment free,
Given as you take your tea.

Chorus: Charming little geisha they!
Come along and hear them play;
All of it is free they say
Nothing in the world to pay.

Happy Japan …

Owen Hall (1853-1907)

Act 1 No 02. Entrance of the Officers: Here they come (chorus/Fairfax/Cunningham/officers)

Chorus: Here they come!
Oh, look and see!
Great big English sailor men!
Englishman, he likes our tea,
Comes to taste it now and then.

Great big sailors walk like this—
Fight with any man they please,
Marry little English miss,
Flirt with pretty Japanese.

Fairfax: Though you’ve seen a good deal in your walks about,
Here’s the prettiest place of the lot!
It’s the tea-house that ev’ryone talks about—
A delightfully curious spot.

Cunningham: Are your stories a myth and a mockery
Of the excellent tea that they bring,
Of the quaint little pieces of crockery,
And the gay little geisha who sing?

Officers: Oh, we’ve heard of the frolic and fun
Of those dear little Japanese elves,
So we thought the best thing to be done
Was to come here and see for ourselves.

Chorus: Oh, they’ve heard of the frolic and fun
Of those dear little Japanese elves,
So they thought the best thing to be done
Was to come here and see for themselves.
Pretty geisha will amuse.
Dance or song she won’t refuse.
Great big English sailors, please,
Try our teapot Japanese,
Sailors, please, oh, try our teapot Japanese.

Mimosa: A goldfish swam in a big glass bowl,
As dear little goldfish do,
But she loved with the whole of her heart and soul
An officer brave from the ocean wave,
And she thought that he loved her too!
Her small inside he daily fed
With crumbs of the best digestive bread;
“This kind attention proves”, said she,
“How exceedingly fond he is of me!”
And she thought, “It’s fit-fit-fitter
He should love my glit-glit-glitter
Than his heart give away
To the butterflies gay,
Or the birds that twit-twit-twitter.”

She flash’d her frock in the sunshine bright,
That officer brave to charm,
And he vowed she was quite a delightful sight,
So her spirits were gay till he came one day
With a girl on his stalwart arm!
In whispers low they talked of love;
He begged for a rose and worn-out glove;
But when they kissed a fond goodbye,
The poor little goldfish longed to die!
And she sobbed, “It’s bit-bit-bitter
He should love this crit-crit-critter
When I thought he would wish
For a nice little fish,
With a frock all glit-glit-glitter.”

That charming girl for a time upset
The officer brave and gay,
And his sad little pet he contrived to forget,
For with never a crumb did he chance to come,
So the goldfish pined away
Until at last some careless soul
With a smash knock’d over the big glass bowl,
And there on the carpet, dead and cold,
Lay the poor little fish in her frock of gold!
But her fate so bit-bit-bitter
Is a story fit-fit-fitter
For a sad little sigh
And a tear in the eye
Than a thoughtless tit-tit-titter!

Fairfax: You’re a charming little geisha,
Quite the nicest girl in Asia,
But I fear there’s something missing,
O my pretty Japanese!
English, French and German misses
Do not ask me what a kiss is—
They are all expert at kissing.Mimosa: Will you teach me, if you please?

I believe I’m quick and clever,
And I promise I’ll endeavour
In the task to do you credit
If your pupil I may be!
O my sailor bright and breezy,
Is it difficult or easy?
Is it nice or shall I dread it?Fairfax: Only wait and you shall see!

Mimosa: I am half afraid to try.Fairfax: Then the task we won’t pursue.Mimosa: Shall I like it by and by?Fairfax: It’s objected to by few!
Both Little maiden,
Wonder-laden,
Ev’ry day learns something new.

Fairfax: Now to make my meaning clearer
You must come a little nearer
Having first discover’d whether
There is anyone about;
Then, your face half shyly raising
Till your eyes in his are gazing,
Place your pretty lips together
In a dainty little pout.

Mimosa: If a smile my cheeks should dimple,
It’s because it’s all so simple!
Why of such a tame proceeding
Should you make so great a fuss?
It’s a farce absurdly hollow
But perhaps there’s more to follow?
For instruction I am pleading!Fairfax: And I give it to you thus!

Mimosa: It has charms I can’t explain.Fairfax: Which you never knew before!Mimosa: Teach me once, just once again!Fairfax: Pretty pupils I adore.
Both Little maiden,
Wonder-laden,
Ev’ry day learns something more.

Owen Hall (1853-1907)

Act 1 No 06. Concerted piece: If you will come to tea (geishas/officers)

Molly: When I was but a tiny tot
My dollies were a lovely lot,
For one, a lady born and bred,
Could shut her eyes and move her head.
“Papa!” “Mama!” another talk’d,
And when you wound her up she walk’d,
But more than any other toy
I loved a little drummer boy.

Fairfax: Of course I know the sort you mean,
That drummer boy I’ve often seen.Molly: For he beats a feeble rum-ti-tum-tumFairfax: When he hits his little drum-ti-tum-tumMolly: And his arms seem rather numb-ti-tum-tumFairfax: As they rise and downward come-ti-tum-tum.

Both: Oh, the dear old toys, and the simple ways
Of those childish versery,
Might be worsery,
Sweetly cursory
Nursery days!

Fairfax: I know I had a famous top,
A painted gun that used to pop,
A spotted horse that boasted legs
Exactly like four wooden pegs;
But though I own’d a box of bricks,
And crimson monkeys climbing sticks,
My infant joys were centred in
A nodding Chinese Mandarin.

Molly: Of course I know the sort you mean,
That Mandarin I’ve often seen.Fairfax: For his bells will tinkle ring-a-ding-dingMolly: While his head he’ll gravely swing-a-ding-dingFairfax: And his hands together bring-a-ding-dingMolly: When you pull a piece of string-a-ding-ding.

Both: Oh, the dear old toys …

Molly: What jolly games I used to play
With little boys across the way!
We raced and romp’d as children do,
I gave them backs at leapfrog too.
We bowl’d our hoops and flew our kites,
At hopscotch had some splendid fights;
But life was only quite complete
With Punch and Judy in the street.

Fairfax: How well its varied charms I know—
I’ve seen that Punch and Judy show!Molly: Mister Punch comes up with root-i-toot-toot,Fairfax: To the baby he’s a brute-i-toot-toot;Molly: But his Toby makes him hoot-i-toot-toot,Fairfax: And the beadle bids him scoot-i-toot-toot.

Both: Oh, the dear old games, and the simple ways
Of those childish versery,
Might be worsery,
Sweetly cursory
Nursery days!

Mimosa: A geisha’s life imagination tints
With all the charming colour of the rose,
And people won’t believe her when she hints
Its beauties are not quite what they suppose.
Because I’m rather quaint and picturesque,
They think that for a butterfly like me
Existence is delightfully grotesque—
How very much mistaken folks may be!

And ever as my samisen I play
Come lovers at my pretty feet to fall,
Who fancy till I bid them run away
A geisha’s heart has room enough for all!
Yet Love may work his will, if so he please;
His magic can a woman’s heart unlock
As well beneath kimono Japanese
As under any smart Parisian frock.

“We love you, little geisha gay!
Oh, won’t you love us too?” they say;
But don’t you see,
It’s lost on me
Who hear the same thing day by day?

Cunningham: Though of staying too long you’re accusing us,
Yet Japan has such wonders to show,
And you’ve all been so good in amusing us,
That no wonder we’re sorry to go.
While the freest of fun is permissible,
And such excellent tea we obtain,
And the girls are so quaint and so kissable,
We shall certainly come here again!

Officers: For to pass the most pleasant of days
You should always contrive when you can
To attentively study the ways
Of the dear little girls of Japan.

Chorus: Yes, to pass the most pleasant of days
You should always contrive when you can
To attentively study the ways
Of the dear little girls of Japan.

Night approaches clear and starry,
Silver shadows softly fall,
Bringing rest to great Imari,
Welcome rest to one and all.

Katana: Pearl of the radiant Eastern sea,
Light of a soldier’s life,
Time in its course will set thee free—
Free to become my wife!
All that my heart desires to say—
Would that my lips could tell;
Fairest of fortune bless thy way
Light of my life, farewell!

Mimosa: Sorry and sad I go from thee,
Lord of my loving heart;
Ever and ever think of me,
Though for a time we part.
Saved by a friend from hapless fate,
Whither she goes go I;
So till I come, my soldier, wait!
So till I come, goodbye!

Son of the sword, whose gleaming blade,
Guarding its prize
Danger defies,
Truest of knights to trusting maid,
Sweetest of sweet goodbyes!

Molly: Oh, what will they do with Molly,
With poor little mad-cap me?
I’ve got in a mess
In a Japanese dress,
And what will the consequence be?

No doubt with a girl like Molly
They’d try to take liberties free,
But if they’ve the folly
To take them with Molly,
They’ll have to be sharper than she!

Chorus: Now who is this Roli Poli,
And what is her little game?
We’re bound to admit
That we’re puzzled a bit,
For nobody knows her by name.

It’s hard upon Roli Poli
To hint that she’s open to doubt,
And yet we’re suspicious,
And rather ambitious
Of finding a thing or two out.

Fairfax: Most noble! we’re heartbroken, I may say,
To take Mimosa from you.

Imari: Laugh away!
But don’t make sure you’ve got the best of me!

Fairfax: Take care, my lord,
In English hands is she;
So don’t you dare
To touch a hair
Of the head of that dainty geisha fair.
If truth be told
To a Marquis old,
It’s you, not the girl,
Who’s just been sold!

Chorus: It’s only the way
Of sailors gay,
Yet is seems uncommonly rude to say
That if truth be told
To a Marquis old,
It’s he, not the girl,
Who’s just been sold!

Imari: This conversation we will not prolong;
It may turn out that after all you’re wrong!

Chorus: Please to go! Please to go!
Fast the sun is setting,
Due respect
To custom show;
Orders you’re forgetting.

Ohayo! Ohayo!
Moon by night and sun by day
Tender beam and blazing ray!
Ohayo! Ohayo!
Watch and ward o’er lovers keep!
Day to drink of pleasure deep,
Night for rest and gentle sleep.

Day born of love …

Politely dress’d
In all our best,
The wedding we await,
And hope they won’t be late,
Or else forget the date.
What would be done
If either one
Neglected to appear;
If somebody demurr’d
Or anything occurr’d
With all to interfere?

Before our eyes
The prospect lies
Of rich and festive fare,
With cups of sake rare
To toast the happy pair.
No wonder then
That maids and men
Unite in Hymen’s praise,
And sing their joyous lay
With blushes all ablaze!

Fairfax: Half-round the world we’ve been, my boys,
On pleasure and on duty.
At ev’ry port we’ve known the joys
Of some bewitching beauty!

Cunningham: The simple maid from sunny France,
Who blush’d and seem’d to falter;
The Spanish girl we met by chance
When strolling through Gibraltar.

Cuddy: Give me a girl from any clime,
And I’ll adore her for a time!

All: Jolly young Jacks are we,
Merry of heart and gay!
Sons of the rolling sea
Homage to Beauty pay.
What if her eyes are dark?
What if her eyes are blue?
Beauty is fair
Ev’rywhere
If Beauty’s the girl for you!

Fairfax: We’ve seen all sorts and sizes too—
Some rather quaintly dress’d ones;
But give me eyes of English blue—
Believe me, they’re the best ones!

Cunningham: That Chinese girl I couldn’t stand
With feet of small dimensions,
Or Gretchen from the Fatherland,
Who ask’d us our intentions.

Cuddy: Well, any you don’t care about
Pass on to me—I’ll take them out!

Fairfax: How can I wait when she I worship only,
Friendless and fair, my help may sorely need?
How can I wait, and leave her sad and lonely,
Counting the hours that all too slowly speed?
Earth has no grace that does not cling about her—
Life has no charm, if mine she may not be;
Star of my soul! I cannot live without her;
O grant this day may give her back to me!

Dream, O my dearest, till we meet once more,
Daydreams of happiness again in store,
Dreams of a future that our fates may hold,
Pass’d in the wonderland of love untold!
Glory of flow’rs and fairyland around me,
Over my path the joyous sunlight falls;
Yet is my dear, whose charms so fast have bound me,
Caged like a bird within those gilded walls.
Would I could break the cruel bonds that hold her,
Snap ev’ry chain that keeps us two apart!
Star of my soul! The half I have not told her
Of all the love that fills my beating heart!
Dream, O my dearest, till we meet once more,
Daydreams of happiness again in store,
Dreams of a future that our fates may hold,
Pass’d in the wonderland of love untold!

Owen Hall (1853-1907)

Act 2 No 07. Quartette: What will the Marquis do? (Mimosa/Fairfax/Cunningham/Wun-Hi)

Fairfax: When he finds that his dear little love-bird’s gone,
Oh, what will the Marquis do?
Will he fly into a rage,
Or fill the empty cage
With another little bird or two?

Cunningham: He’ll vow that the ceremony must go on
With some little girl or other!
And I fancy he’ll admit
That he doesn’t mind a bit;
For one of them is very like another!

All: Oh, what will he do, and what will he say?
Will his language be improper
In a Japanesey way?
He may do what he likes; he may say what he thinks;
But we’ll pop a little stopper
On his jolly, jolly jinks!

Mimosa: When he finds that his dear little bride has fled,
Oh, what will the Marquis do?
If he isn’t too upset
He’ll marry Juliette,
And adore her for a month or two!

Wun-Hi: Me think that he’ll breakee breakee Wun-Hi’s head
Some bad luckee day or other!
If no beatee me with stick,
Then he givee me a kick—
But one of them is wellee like another!

Geishas: With splendour auspicious,
O sunbeams illumine the day!
With perfume delicious,
O flowers, make fragrant the way!
O zephyrs, go carry
Our song to the Master of Might,
Who cometh to marry
The Rose of his fancy’s delight!

Sing sweetly and shrilly,
O twittering birds of the air!
Than lilac or lily
The bride is more daintily fair.
From hill and from valley
The echoes are greeting the day
With soft fallallally,
And tender fallallallallay!

Molly: A parrot once resided in a pretty gilded cage,
Sarcastic was his temper, and uncertain was his age.
He knew that two canaries had apartments overhead
Who’d only very recently been wed!Chorus: They’d recently been wed!

Molly: He kept an eye on all that they were doingChorus: An interfering parrot in a nasty frame of mind!Molly: And vow’d he’d stop their billing and their cooing.Chorus: Which really was exceedingly unkind!

Molly: Polly winked his eye, and Polly gave a sigh,
And Polly took his best hat down;
He called on Mrs C. and took a cup of tea,
When Mr C. had gone to town;
Then wisely wagg’d his head,
And seriously said:
“Well, husbands are a lot!
A pretty one you’ve got!
Such tales I never heard!
So dissolute a bird
I never met before!
What goings on! Oh, lor!”

Chorus: Polly winked his eye …

Molly: He left the poor canary with her spirits rather low,
But when she got her husband home her tongue began to go.
In vain he tried caresses, and attempted to deny—
The silly little bird began to cry!Chorus: The bird began to cry!

Molly: She told him that she knew he lov’d another—Chorus: A shocking accusation for a little bird to make!Molly: And said she meant to go and see her mother.Chorus: A very silly step for her to take!

Molly: Polly winked his eye, and Polly gave a sigh,
And Polly took his best hat down;
He knew there’d be a fuss, so jumping on a ’bus,
He called on Mr C. in town;
Then wisely wagg’d his head,
And seriously said:
“A pretty wife you’ve got!
I see you’ve had it hot,
And bless your heart, it’s true
She’s just as bad as you!
Directly you are gone—
Oh don’t she carry on!”

Chorus: Polly winked his eye …

Molly: Canary’s yellow countenance with jealousy was green,
And when he met his wife they had a nice domestic scene—
Till she with pocket handkerchief and he with sullen scowl,
They hurried off to Mr Justice Owl!Chorus: To Mr Justice Owl!

Molly: He granted a judicial separation—Chorus: And all because of Polly’s unsubstantiated words!Molly: And now they live in icy isolation.Chorus: Two really very wretched little birds!

Molly: Polly winked his eye, and Polly gave a sigh,
And Polly bought a Special Sun.
He read the full report of what occurr’d in court;
And chuckled at the mischief done;
Then going off to bed,
Contentedly he said:
“Thank goodness that’s all right!
I’ll get some sleep tonight,
A thing I cannot do
When lovers bill and coo.
They won’t annoy a soul!
Poor Polly! Scratch a poll!”

Chorus: Polly winked his eye …

Molly: Of course there is a moral, and of course it’s at the end—
Those foolish young canaries had a monkey for a friend,
And as to all the trouble each in turn was giving vent,
They put the cunning monkey on the scent!Chorus: They put him on the scent!

Molly: He called upon the parrot in the morning—Chorus: No doubt the parrot wonder’d what on earth he had to say!Molly: And went for him without the slightest warning.Chorus: The parrot had a very happy day!

Molly: Polly piped his eye, and Polly gave a sigh,
And Polly used a naughty word.
The monkey, when he’d done, of feathers hardly one
Had left upon the bad old bird.
He scratch’d his aching head,
And ruefully he said:
“Oh, Sarah, ain’t it prime?
I’ve had a beastly time!
Poor Polly’s feeling bad—
Oh, what a day I’ve had!
I’m sorry on the whole—
Poor Polly! Scratch a poll!”

Chorus: Before our eyes
The prospect lies
Of rich and festive fare,
With cups of sake rare
To toast the happy pair.
No wonder then
That maids and men
Unite in Hymen’s praise,
And sing their joyous lays!